Industrial Revolution Flashcards
(12 cards)
What was the Industrial Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution, starting in the late 18th century, was a shift from agrarian economies to industrial ones, driven by innovations like the steam engine and mechanized production. It led to mass production, urbanization, and changes in labor and living conditions, starting in Britain and spreading globally.
Where did the Industrial Revolution Start?
The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the 1800’s, spreading to the U.S. and beyond. Advances in agriculture and technology increased food production, prompting rural people to move to cities for factory jobs. The textile industry led the revolution, with machines like the spinning jenny and power loom boosting production. Coal replaced wood as an energy source, fueling growth. Samuel Slater brought textile technology to the U.S. in 1789, sparking American industrialization and rural-urban migration, transforming cities and raising living standards.
Impact of the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution led to mass production of high-quality goods, improving living standards and the economy. However, it also caused environmental pollution, poor waste disposal, and the spread of diseases. Additionally, child labor and low wages were widespread, as children were exploited and adults poorly paid.
Industrial Revolution Inventions
The Industrial Revolution introduced inventions like the steam engine, spinning jenny, and cotton gin, transforming production, transportation, and cities. Key technological advancements, especially in textiles, reshaped daily life.
Spinning Jenny
The spinning jenny, invented by James Hargreaves in 1764, allowed unskilled workers to spin multiple spindles at once. It revolutionized the textile industry by moving weaving from homes to factories.
Steam engine
The steam engine was the brainchild of James Newcomen in 1712. The first steam engine was utilized in pumping water out of mine caves, giving miners a chance to dig further for more coal, which was a vital source of energy. The atmospheric engine, another name for the steam engine, would burn coal and create steam that would operate the steam pump.
James Watt’s steam engine
In 1763, James Watt improved the steam engine, making it more efficient and fuel-saving. His design boosted factory production and powered railways, leading to a stronger transport network and industrial growth in Europe.
Cotton gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, making it possible to separate cotton fibers and their seeds. The cotton gin, combined with other spinning and weaving machines, enabled cotton production in large quantities, leading to the expansion of Britain’s textile industry.
Transportation Inventions
The steam engine led to the creation of steam-powered locomotives, improving transportation for factories. Michael Faraday developed the first electric motor in 1821, and Werner von Siemens introduced the electric locomotive in 1879, sparking the spread of electric tramways across Europe.
Iron Industry Transformation
The Industrial Revolution’s demand for iron led to innovations in production. Coal, particularly coke, replaced expensive charcoal, boosting iron production. Henry Cort’s 1783 grooved rollers and puddling technique, using coke to burn impurities, revolutionized iron production, creating higher-quality wrought iron.
Why Was Britain the First Country to Industrialize?
By the late eighteenth century, Great Britain rose to global dominance, fueled by abundant coal and iron. The Industrial Revolution’s advancements, like the steam engine, enabled mass manufacturing, boosting trade and causing a population boom in cities like Birmingham and London.
Economic Factors in Britain’s Industrialization
As Britain’s urban population grew, the demand for textiles surged, becoming a leading industry. Inventors created technologies to meet this need, while the government supported economic growth through banks, a stock market, patents, and financial incentives, fostering a thriving entrepreneurial environment.
